Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has confirmed the unconditional release of the kidnapped Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Mathew Abo, nothing that no ransom or any monetary exchanges were involved in the process.
Alia made the confirmation in a statement on Thursday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the Newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital.
The statement reads, “We can confirm that the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, has regained freedom. He has since reunited with his family in Sankera, Ukum Local Government Area where he was abducted.
“His release was as a result of intense pressure on the criminals from the gallant security operatives who were acting on the directives of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, who had earlier given marching orders to them to ensure Mr. Abo’s release,” he said.
The statement further disclosed that the kidnappers were still holding the former Chairman, Ukum LGA, Mr Washima Erukaa, and his cousin who discreetly went to negotiate with them for the release of Mr Erukaa but were also kidnapped.
The former chairman was kidnapped at a different location and date.
NAN
